Registering device



Feb. 17, 1953 J. P. FAY

REGISTERING DEVICE Filed Sept. 7, 1950 Zhwentor James 2 Pay v (Ittomeg:

Patented Feb. 17, 1953 UNIT-ED STATE PATENT 0 FFICE REGISTERING DEVICE James. P. F y, orw k Genn- Application September 7, 1950,"erial No. 183,649

12 Claim The' present invention relates to means forregistening a web processing means with register control meanson a traveling web and for thereafter automatically maintaining said Web processing means in registerwith said register control Heretofore efforts have been made to maintain -webprocessing means in proper registration-with a traveling web but these have resulted in extremely complicated systemswhich have'not been entirely satisfactory because they have been adversely affected-by the ordinary variations incident to the normal operation-of the machine, such as changes in velocity of the web and voltage changes-on the control system. They have also been unsatisfactory because of the high main- 'tenance required of the complicated systems.

Further, where photocells have been employed in the control circuit to provide the actuating voltage, dust, ink or other'foreign matter have interi-ered with and varied the illumination thereof to-render the control ineffective or inoperative. The present invention overcomes these diffi- ;culties byproviding a register device which is simple in construction and accurate in operation and whichis easy to-maintain and is not afiected "by'variations in the velocity ofthe Web or voltage changes on the control system.

This isaccomplished by providing a web processing machine with a circuit upon which is im- W pressed predetermined instantaneous voltages de-.- ,pendent, upon the position ofthe web processing Ineans and controlling a control circuit, when a sensingmeans senses the presence 'oi-a register control means, by th instantaneous voltage then impressed on,v the first-mentionedcircuit to adjust the "position 0f, the web processing means in ;accordancetherewith.

the preferred form of theinvention the predetermined instantaneous, voltage is provided by .a..voltag e divider .ora potentiometer which is connected to the web processing means to be actuated thereby. It is so adjusted that when the webprocessing means is in proper position with .respect to the register control means, as

determined: by. a sensing means sensing saig 1 regis.-

ter control means, a predetermined voltage is produced which normally maintains a balanced condition and if the web processing means is in any other position the voltage as determined by the position of the web processing means will be impressed on the circuit to unbalance the circuit and return the web processing means to the proper position.

The present invention is applicable-for usewith pro e means quickl t a r erm s ster ,in

accordance with th polarity andquantityzo f-the voltage without hunting.

The sensing meanssince itgmere1yQI l2r0ls the conductivity of the circuit, may be any mechanical or electrical sw tch de ice-which isactuated by the register controlrmea s -on'-the-web. Inzthe preferred form of the invention, lightsensitive "means is employed: to render the circuit conductive inresponse to changeinillumination thereof caused by the register control 1 means. Inasmuch as the. sensingmeansis not-reliedupon to provide the power for actuating the circuit,

as has-heretofore-been the practice-ink sinudges, dust and the like which may accidently geton the jlight-sensitive means .so as to alter .itsillumination will not afiect its operation 1 so long as ther is sunicient light to render it conductive.

'Because balanced circuits and-instantaneous v lta es dep ndent upon th p sition of the w proce in m s r emp y d. the ve ocity. of the web or voltage changQ n; s uch -,;c,ir ;l1,,itst;wil1

am affec thev pe a icn sand -aeeuracy of the devic A :fe u ec the-i ntion resi es -.in theiact that the register-1devieecomprises a simple circuitemploying aminimum of elements which can bebuiltin originallyas-partofamachin or which may beattached toexisting machines to con ro the same- O e featuresan a an s of the invent nll e pparent vtram he-spec fication and claims when considered in connection with ,the

drawin s n. wh ch:

Fi ure ;1, 1, .o a diagrammatic v e of the resent -invcnt o,n s win ne :fctm of motor control means.

,-2 -.s-hows another-term o motor control means.

Fi -=8 shows a sti iurth r f rmorfzmotcr controlmeans.

As shown :in. the drawin s. xi-tra e tw ebr l0 II by a pair of feed rolls I2, [3 driven by a suitable motor [4 which advances the web to the web processing unit I5 having a web processing means therein. The web processing means may be any means for performing an operation on the web and is herein illustrated as a rotary printing cylinder l6 having a printing plate I! thereon cooperating with an impression cylinder I8 to provide a suitable impression on the traveling web.

The printing cylinder is driven by a variable or differential drive of any type whereby its speed and hence its position may be varied with respect to the feed rolls to the web driven thereby. Such a device, for example, comprises a pair of conical pulleys i9, 20. Pulley I9 is mounted on the shaft of motor [4 to be driven thereby and pulley 20 is mounted on the shaft l6a of the printing cylinder to be driven from the pulley I3 by a belt 2|. The belt is moved along the pulleys by a belt shifter 22 mounted on an addusting screw 22a driven by a worm gear 23 and worm 24 from a position adjusting means or motor 25. The motor is controlled by a register device or system so as to alter the speed and position of the printing cylinder with respect to the web in order to secure and maintain proper registration therebetween.

According to the present invention means are provided for maintaining the impression Ila formed on the traveling web H! in register with register control means formed on the web. The register control means may take many forms such as apertures in the web or black dots on the web but, in the illustrated form of the invention, it comprises uniformly spaced breaks 26 in a longitudinally extending non-reflecting band 21 printed on the web.

The register device of the present invention for adjusting the position of the printing cylinder with respect to the web to maintain the printing plate in register with the register control means or to return it to register should the printing cylinder be ahead or behind the predetermined registered position comprises a register control or first circuit including a voltage divider, or more specifically a potentiometer, 28 for producing predetermined instantaneous voltages in accordance with the rotative position of the printing cylinder, said potentiometer having one part adjustably mounted on the frame and the other part connected to the shaft of the printing cylinder.

In the illustrated form of the invention the potentiometer comprises a substantially circular resistor 29 adjustably mounted by shaft 30 on a part 3| of the frame of the machine and a cooperating wiping contact 32 which is connected to the end of the printing cylinder shaft Ilia to be moved thereby over the resistor. The potentiometer has a predetermined positive voltage and a predetermined negative voltage, as compared to its midpoint, connected to the ends of the resistor as indicated by the and signs in Fig. l and is normally adjusted on the frame so that there will be a balance and no voltage on the wiping contact when the printing cylinder is in proper registration with the register control means. The wiping contact 32 is connected in the first circuit by lead 33 to a sensing means 35 which in the present circuit functions to render the circuit conductive when a register control means is sensed thereby.

The sensing means 35 may be a mechanically operated circuit closer or a wiping contact but in the preferred form of the invention it comprises a light sensitive means in which a pair of photocells 36, 31 are connected in back to back relation and are adapted to be rendered conductive upon a change of illumination thereof as when light from the lamp 38 impinges upon a break 26 in the band and causes the light to be reflected and illuminate the cell. The sensing means is connected to an integrating resistor-condenser circuit RC which smooths out the voltage pulses, produced by the periodic operation of the sensing means, which integrated voltage is impressed on the grid circuit of an electron discharge device or tube 39 through a protective resistor 40. The tube 39 is connected in a second or control circuit for motor 25 to control the motor for altering the position of the printing cylinder when it is out of register with the register control means.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, motor 25 is a permanent magnet motor having its armature electrically connected in the motor control circuit which includes the tube 39 and a tube 4|. The tubes 39 and 4| are connected together through an adjustable rheostat 42 to a source of energy as indicated by the sign. The control circuit is normally balanced so that the motor does not rotate when the printing cylinder is in proper registration and no potential is impressed on the grid. This is done by closing the normally open switch 42a to connect the grid of the electron device 39 to ground and adjusting the rheostat until there is no current flow in the armature of the motor. However, the grid of the tube 39 will have impressed thereon a voltage from the register control circuit which voltage will be positive or negative with respect to the normal voltage thereon depending upon the amount and direction the printing cylinder is out of register. This voltage on the grid would unbalance the motor circuit and cause a current to fiow in the armature of motor 25 in accordance with the amount and direction of unbalance of the control circuit to energize the motor to drive the worm 24 and worm gear 23 and shift the belt on the variable drive in the proper direc tion in order to produce the necessary advance or retardation of the printing cylinder with respect to the traveling web so as to change the position thereof in the proper direction and in the proper amount to restore registration of the impression with respect to the register control means whereupon balance is restored to the control circuit and the motor stopped. Since the motor 25 is operated in accordance with the direction and quantity of unbalance, as represented by the polarity and quantity of the instantaneous voltage produced by the potentiometer when the sensing device senses a register control means, the printing cylinder will be brought back to proper registration without any hunting.

A modified form of position adjusting means and second circuit controlling the same is shown in Fig. 2, said circuit being substituted for the motor control circuit of Fig. 1 to be connected to said register control circuit. Here a reversible difierential motor 25a having controlling fields 43 and 44 is employed in place of the permanent magnet motor 25. The control circuit for this motor includes an electron discharge means or tube 39a having its grid connected to the register control circuit at A to have the voltage of said circuit, when the circuit is conductive, impressed proper register.

the tube :39b..as'.'shown in Fig.13. adjusted sothat it isxnormally closed through its front contact'fila while-relay 521s normally open "'thereon to controt the current: flow in:the:1tube "39a; in accordance therewith. Connected :to: the

tube as shown by means'of rectifiers 45' and 46 are apa'ir'of relays 41 and 48 which. areconnected through variable resistors' ls' and-'50 tosground.

The relaysareadjusted so that they'iare normally open so that the motor fields are. open and the motor does not rotate when no voltage isimpressed on the grid. However; when a positive or negative voltage isimpressed ;upon the grid,

:the'flow of current inith'efidevice a39a-is varied 'andrdepending upon" the dlI'8Ctl0IIiO1fl.flOWiOfiLClH- rent :in thecircuit will'cause either'relay' to be closed and complete the circuit: to the proper field winding for the motor'25ato; drive itinthe proper .direction to cause itatoshift: the :belt through the worm .andworm "gear. drive ofiliig. v1 to'causethe printing cylinder to-baadvancedfonretardedzwith respect to thetraveling webcsoaatometurn it into Asisoorrias .tl1e.:cylinder...is. .in

register the. currentfiowtim theelectron discharge ..device willreturntnnormial andthemotor control circuit will. be opened. and the motorzstopped.

Anothercircuit for controlling the. positionedjusting means is shown: inhFigJS wherein a series motor 25b connected across-a suitable source of power is employed for driving the belt shifter to alter the position'of the printing cylinder. In

this circuit the electron discharge device or 'tube 39b has its' grid connectedat'point A of the'regi'ster control circuit :andthc tube is adjusted'so that a predetermined current flows in the tube circuit when the device is in register. A pair of seriesconnected relays'5l, 52 are connected to the variable adjustingiresistor 'VRto Relay 59 .is

to its frontcontact 52a butis closed to its back contact 52band-thusthe armature circuit is open. The'relays' are so adjusted that if the current in the tube circuit falls below. the predetermined value, relay will .drop out-and open the circuit to contactiSlaand close the-circuit through its back contactiib Land contact52b to rotate the motor in one direction. If the current is above said predetermined normal value. it will close the relay 52 causing the circuit to be extended through the'contact SEaandcontacti l a to rotate the motor in the opposite direction.

In operation the web is provided withregister control means 2% and is led from asuitable source through: the ieedrolls i2... i3 and fed .to the" web processing .nnit l5. is then adjusted byidepressing push'button. switch The motor control circuit 420: andradiustingirheostat ZLinJthe .motorzcom 1 trolscircuit so that; there isnormally. ;no current flow in the armature circuit. .Ihe sensing means .35 is adjusted so that it will beactnatediby'the re ister control means on the'web to cause the circuit to become conductive. The printing cylinder of the web processing unit-is then adjusted so that'th'e impression formed thereby isin predetermined registration .withthe register control .means on the web.v With the printing'cylinder in this position the resistor 2d of the potentiometer is, adjusted on. the frame so that the potential'on the wiping contact oarriedby the cylinder shaft in predetermined relation with'the printing plate is'a predetermined'value, normally zero. The printing press is'started and whenever the sensing means senses a register control means on the traveling web it rendersthe circuit-con- :ductive and thepotential'on the wiping 'contact :isimpressed on the circuit. :If theeweb processing means. is. in: proper izregisten. seraipotent al-: is im ressed;Qntnecircuit-and no-change-is efiected insthesmotor control. circuit. However, ..should the web. processing means heout of register; in

either :direction,,.the instantaneous voltage impressed on the cirouitvwi'll. be plus or-negative depending, upon the direction of outeof-register and. willbe'of a quantity dependingupon .the :amount :of. .out-oferegister.

This instantaneous voltage, after being, integrated by theRC circuit,

' is impressed on thegrid of tube 397 so as :to: un-

balance theyarmature circuit of motor 25;. and cause a current to vflow in thearmature in;. propor-' tion to the unbalance and in the. direction which will rotate the. motor tov adjust. theiposition of the cylinder with respectto. the web .andrestore registration. .:Since. :the .potential impressed on the. circuit .is dependent .upontheinstantaneous position of. the wiping contact when the circuit is. rendered conductive it will :be seen. thatas the web processingimeans.. is brought-back .into

registration the outpf; reg-ister potential will gradually decrease .so that theweb processing unit is brought back into register withouttany hunting.

Further changes in velocity of the. traveling web as may be encountered in the starting and stopping of the press will notin any way afiect the operation of the register device ormsystem s0 longas the position and relation-of the. sensing means and processing unit are not altered. since no timing factor is employedinthe operation of the device.

The circuits, as will be seen from the foregoing, are simple and can easily be installedoninew machines or as attachments ,for existingzma- .chinesand can-be maintained at .-a .relatively sition adjustingimeans for altering the :relative position of. theweb processing:means with..re-'- spect to theweb andan-electrical.control circuit .for said position.adjusting.meanscomprising a resistor havinga predetermined voltageiapplied thereto and a wiping contact movable v.thereover in response to movement of the web processing means to produce a predetermined'voltageiion the contact in accordance with the positionzof. the web processing means; sensing means located in predetermined relation to the web processing means and having means for controlling the-con- .ductivity of said circuit'uponsensing the presence of the register control means; and vmeans controlled by the voltage on the wipingzcontact at the time the sensing means 'senses .aregister control means for actuating the positionadjusting means to correct or maintain the web processing means in said predeterminedrelation with the web and the register control means thereon.

2..In.a web processing machine provided with a webiprocessing .unithaving rotary-webmrociessing means and. meansionfeedingza .webhaving register control means thereon to said web processing unit; the combination of means for adjusting and maintaining the web processing means in register with the register control means on the web, including position adjusting means for altering the position of the web processing means with respect to the web and an electrical control circuit for said position adjusting means comprising a potentiometer connected to the web processing means and so adjusted as to impress a predetermined voltage on the circuit when the web processing means is in registration and to impress a predetermined different voltage on the circuit when the web processing means is out of registration, said voltage being determined by the amount of out-of-register; sensing means located in predetermined relation to the web processing means and rendering said circuit conductive upon sensing the register control means; and means controlled by the voltage on the potentiometer at the time the circuit is conductive to control the position adjusting means to maintain or return the web processing means to proper register.

3. In a web processing machine provided with a web processing unit having movable web processing means, and means for feeding a web having register control means thereon to said web processing unit; the combination of means for adjusting and maintaining the position of the web processing means in predetermined relation to the register control means thereon, including position adjusting means for altering the position of the web processing means with respect to the web and an electrical circuit comprising a resistor adjustably mounted on the machine and having a predetermined positive and negative voltage applied to the terminals thereof and a wiping contact movable thereover in response to movement of the web processing means, said resistor being adjusted to produce no voltage on the contact when the web processing means is in proper registration with the web; sensing means located in predetermined relation to the web processing means for sensing the presence of the registercontrol means and rendering said circuit conductive; and means controlled by the polarity and quantity of the voltage on the wiping contact at the time the circuit is conductive for actuating the position adjusting means to correct or maintain the web processing means in predetermined relation with the web.

4. In a web processing machine provided with a web processing unit having movable web processing means, and means for feeding a web having register control means thereon to said web processing unit; the combination of means for adjusting and maintaining the position of the web processing means in predetermined relation to the regster control means thereon, including position adjusting means for altering the position of the web processing means with respect to the web and an electrical circuit comprising a resistor adjustably mounted on the machine and having a predetermined positive and negative voltage applied to the terminals thereof and a wiping contact movable thereover in response to movement of the web processing means, said re-' sistor being adjusted to produce a zero voltage on the contact when the web processing means is in proper registration with the Web; sensing means located in predetermined relation to the web processing means for sensing the presence of the register control means and rendering said circuit conductive; and means including an electron discharge means and a power operator cotrolled thereby for actuating the position adjusting means to correct or maintain the web processing means in predetermined relation with the web, said electron discharge means having means connected in the said circuit and upon which the contact voltage is impressed to control the operation of said electron discharge means in accordance therewith.

5. In a web processing machine provided with a web processing unit having movable web processing means, and means for feeding a web having register control means thereon to said web processing unit; the combination of means for adjusting and maintaining the web processing means in predetermined relation to the web and register control means thereon, including position adjusting means for altering the relative position of the web processing means with respect to the web and an electrical control circuit for said position adjusting means comprising a resistor having a predetermined voltage applied thereto and a wiping contact movable thereover in response to movement of the web processing means to produce a predetermined voltage on the contact when the web processing means is in proper registration with the web; light sensitive means connected in said circuit and located in predetermined relation to the web processing means for cooperation with the register control means, said light sensitive means rendering the circuit conductive upon a change in illumination thereof caused by the register control means; and means controlled by the voltage on the wiping contact at the time the circuit is conductive for actuating the position adjusting means to correct or maintain the web processing means in said predetermined relation with the register control means.

6. In a web processing machine provided with a web processing unit having movable web processing means, and means for feeding a web having register control means thereon to said web processing unit; the combination of means for adusting and maintaining the web processing means in predetermined relation to the web and register control means thereon, including position adjusting means for altering the relative position of the web processing means with respect to the web and an electrical control circuit for said position adjusting means comprising a resistor having a predetermined positive and negative voltage applied to the terminals thereof and a wiping contact movable thereover in response to movement of the web processing means to produce a predetermined voltage on the contact when the web processing means is in proper registration with the web; light sensitive means connected in said circuit and located in predetermined relation to the web processing means for cooperation with the register control means, said light sensitive means comprising a pair of hotocells connected back to back for rendering the circuit conductive upon a change in illumination thereof caused by the register control means; and means controlled by the polarity and quantity of the voltage on the wiping contact at the time the circuit is conductive for actuating the position adjusting means to correct or maintain the web processing means in said predetermined relation with the register control means.

'1. In a web processing machine provided with a web processing unit having rotary web Processing means including a variable drive therefor,

and. means :for feeding a. web having register control means thereon to said web processin unit; the combination of means for adjusting the variable drive to maintain the web processing means in predetermined register with the register control means on the web, comprising a first circuit including a resistor adjustably mounted on the machine and having a predetermined positive and negative voltage applied to the terminals thereof and a wiping contact connected to the web processing means to rotate therewith and move-over the resistor in response to movement of the web processing means, said resistor being adjusted to produce a predetermined voltage on the contact when the web processing means is in proper registration with the web; sensing means located in predetermined relation to the web processing means for sensing the presence of the register control means and rendering said first circuit conductive; and a second circuit for controlling said variable drive including at least one electron discharge means and a motor controlled thereby for adjusting the variable drive to correct or maintain the web processing means in predetermined relation with the web, said electron dis charge means having a grid connected in the said first circuit to receive the contact voltage when the first circuit is conductive to control the operation of said electron discharge means and motor in accordance with the polarity and value of said contact voltage.

8. In a web processing machine provided with a web processing unit having rotary web processing means including a variable drive therefor, and means for feeding a web having register control means thereon to said web processing unit; the combination of means for adjusting the variable drive to maintain the web processing means in predetermined register with the register control means on the web, comprising a first circuit including a resistor adjustably mounted on the machine and having a predetermined positive and negative voltage applied to the terminals thereof and a wiping contact connected to the web processing means to rotate therewith and move over the resistor in response to movement of the web processing means, said resistor being adjusted to produce a predetermined voltage on the contact when the web processing means is in proper registration with the web; sensing means located in predetermined relation to the web processing means for sensing the presence of the register control means and rendering said first circuit conductive; and a second circuit for controlling said variable drive including at least one electron discharge means and a permanent magnet motor controlled thereby, said electron discharge means providing a predetermined balancing current to the motor when the web processing means is in predetermined relation with the web, said electron discharge means having grid connections in the said first circuit to receive the contact voltage when the first circuit is conductive and being operative in response to voltages other than said predetermined voltage to vary the current in said electron discharge means and unbalance the motor in accordance with the polarity and value of said contact voltage.

9. In a printing press provided with a rotary printing cylinder, and means for feeding a web having register control means thereon to said printing cylinder to cause said web to be printed thereby in predetermined relation to said register control means; the combinationof means.-,for. ads justing and maintainin the printing cylinder in, register with the register controlmeans on. the web, including positionadjustingmeans for alter I ing the position of the printing cylinder with respect tothe web and :an electrical control circuit for said position adjusting means comprising" a potentiometer connected to the printing cylinder and so adjusted as toimpressno voltage on the circuit when the printing cylinder is in registration and "to impress a predetermined voltageon the circuit when the printing cylinder sens-ing meansfllocated in predetermined relation to thapr-i-nting, cylinder andrendering 1 said. Cir-i cuit conductive upon sensing the register control means; and means controlled by the voltage on the potentiometer at the time the circuit is conductive to control the position adjusting means to maintain or return th printing cylinder to proper register.

10. A register device for registering a movable web processing means having position adjusting means with register control means on a web comprising a circuit including a potentiometer having a predetermined positive and negative voltage applied to the terminals and adapted to be connected to said movable web processing means to provide a predetermined voltage for all positions of said web processing means, said potentiometer being adjusted to normally impress a predetermined voltage on the circuit when the web processing means is in register; sensing means connected in said circuit to render said circuit conductive upon sensin a register control means; and means adapted to be connected to the position adjusting means to control the same and having means connected in said circuit and re,- sponsive to the polarity and quantity of the voltage impressed on the circuit by the potentiometer when the circuit is rendered conductive to cause said position adjusting means to maintain or return the web processing means to proper regis er.

11. A register device for registering a rotary web processing means having position adjusting means with register control means on a web comprising a circuit including a potentiometer having a predetermined positive and negative voltage applied to the terminals, said potentiometer adapted to be connected to said rotary web processing means to provide a predetermined voltage for all rotative positions of said web processing means and being adjusted to normally impress no voltage on the circuit when the web processing means is in register; sensing means connected in said circuit to render said circuit conductive upon sensing a register control means; and means, including an electron discharge means, adapted to be connected to the position adjusting means to control the position adjusting means and having means connected in said circuit and responsive to the polarity and quantity of the voltage impressed on the circuit by the potentiometer when th circuit is rendered conductive to cause said position adjusting means to maintain or return the web processing means to proper register.

12. A register device for registering a rotary web processing means having position adjusting means with register control means on a web comprising a, first circuit including a potentiometer having a predetermined positive and negative 11 voltage applied to the terminals and adapted to be connected to said rotary web processing means to provide a, predetermined voltage for all rotative positions of said web processing means, said potentiometer being adjusted to normally impress a predetermined voltage on the first circuit when the web processing means is in register; sensing means connected in said circuit to render said circuit conductive upon sensing a register control means; and a second circuit having means adapted to b connected to the position adjusting means for controlling the position adjusting means, said second circuit having at least one electron discharge means therein provided with a grid connected in said first circuit and responsive to the voltage impressed on the first circuit by 12 the potentiometer when the first circuit is rendered conductive to control the current flow in the second circuit and thereby control said position adjusting means to maintain or return the 5 web processing means to proper register.

JAMES P. FAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,002,374 King May 21, 1935 15 2,278,933 Kott Apr. 7, 1942 2,518,325 Hurley Aug. 8, 1950 

